Concentration of Trace Metals in Some Major Edible Oils of Riyadh

Abstract

Chemical elements play major roles in various metabolic processes in the human body. Moreover, some of these elements are toxic if consumed in excessive quantities. In this study, a total of 11 elements (Mn +2 , Fe +2 , Cu +2 , Cr +3 , Zn +2 , Ni +2 , Se, Pb +2 , As +3 , and Al +3) were studied in edible vegetable oil samples by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. The concentration of the metals was found to be in trace level lower than the maximum allowable concentration limit set by the World Health Organization as well as the recommended daily intake of metals. Pearson correlation coefficients showed strong correlations between Cr and Fe (0.998), Cr and Mn (0.994), Cr and Ni (0.985), Fe and Mn (0.994), Fe and Ni (0.985), Mn and Ni (0.978), and As and Se (0.997). It can be concluded that the edible vegetable oil samples were free of any chemical element contamination.

Dietary exposure and risk characterization of selected toxic metals in crude palm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) from six states in Niger Delta, Nigeria

“…Cr +3 acts as a critical cofactor in insulin action and plays an important role in the metabolism of lipid, glucose, and protein. Cr +6 is carcinogenic according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer [31] and acute Cr poisoning can be mutagenic and carcinogenic [24,32] and the toxic effects of Cr +3 intake include skin rash, nose irritation, bleeding, upset stomach, kidney and liver damage. The highest and lowest contents of Cr were observed in samples from Rivers and Delta, respectively.…”